Surprising Things You CAN'T DO At Army Basic Training 

Also, if you are curious why we weren't allowed to do some of these things. "We hadn't earned the right to do _____" - My Drill Sergeants. For example I didn't include this but we were not allowed to talk for the first few days. Yes, I just said talk. Period. That may just have been a thing my company did but we couldn't talk.

I spit on the ground when I was in basic one time and my DS made me pick it up and put it in my pocket 😂😂

All you people going to basic here soon, it's all mental, it's easy and sometimes fun. You will have some great memories. Embrace the suck

You’ve heard of someone going into the bathroom to catch a few puffs but you probably haven’t heard of someone going to into the bathroom to catch a few pull ups

More things you can't do in basic: Anything correctly Please your DS Avoid getting smoked

Speaking of never being well rested in Basic; I accidentally slept through my watch one night...and got away with it! 😳 I woke up ~5 min before the next guy's shift, and no TI's decided to "visit" us that night, thank God.

"PRIVATE! Why are you BREATHING?!?!?!? Don't blink, I didn't give you the command TO BLINK!!! Why are you so red private? You can breath now privates."

Me : exists Drill sergeant: 😡what was that?

You left out another VERY important thing. WE WERE NOT allowed to WALK anywhere, we had to RUN ( at a jog, in other words you had to hustle) everywhere that we went if you were caught WALKING you were in DEEP "S"

What? I’m not allowed to be on my phone? My recruiter said I could! He said I could keep my hair too!

“Buddy, want go to bathroom?” I thought it’s a girls thing.😂

So, when i left basic, and got into the "real Army", I was shocked. The NCO's and Officers were really chilled out. They said things like "Hey man, hows it going?" And they joked around with me like i was their best friend. And even when i went to parade rest for each of the Sergeants, and even a few First Sergeants they just told me to relax or stop as soon as i went to parade rest, or even at ease, and continued to just chat with me or tell me whats up. The real army is a bit more relaxed, just do the right thing, be somewhere the right time, right uniform, and you're set. Although let me add that i hear Polk is hell, and I'm glad I'm not there.

also can't put your hands in your pockets. I was caught a few times on this.

You wake up in the night and hear grunting and breathing coming from the head. "Oh its just Matt doing pull ups again."

Easy tip for inactivity, read and memorize the soldier handbook. This what my battlebuddy and i did.

“Food taste better with my heels together”

Basic training is all mental. The sooner that is realized the easier basic training will be. Ft Knox bct 1998.

they made us eat while lay in the prone with ACH(helmet) on chin strap buckled in case we were “shot at”

In the field, we ate UPU in the prone position because “the enemy could see us if we sat up”

No sneaking into the female barracks to get some tail 😂

Air Force basic was very similar we didn't have the battle buddy though. Definitely couldn't sit AT ALL on anything except you had a chair in your locker area. Also no talking during meals. I once got yelled at during lunch for smiling and looking around. Good times.

I heard in basic training you're not allowed to play fortnight

Only two weeks left till I ship out. I graduate Friday and I’m so excited to start this new chapter in my life, especially as a US Army soldier. Thank you so much Matt for making me feel more confident about going into the Army. All your videos really have helped me a lot though this last year of high school for me

I'd imagine not letting you go to sleep early, is all part of the training. A way to make sure you can function on a set number of hours sleep. Sleep deprivation is also a tool to prepare you. Imagine being a in a foxhole and nothing is happening. You expected the enemy to have been there by then, but they weren't. Eventually, you start to relax and soon you are drifting off and that's when the attack happens. So, I think controlling your sleep is part of the training.

My dad had to burry a piece of crap and do a 21 gun salute for it when he went through basic training the hole was six feet long and deep and a rifle length in width the reason they did that was because a stupid person took a crap on the grass. This happened a little over twenty years ago so no one cared about anything and life was great.

I remember my DS smoked us for buying the wrong beer at the bowling alley during the first week of red phase!

That why i went air force. I visted an army base first. Lesson learned.

hey thanks for all your videos... ive been talking to my recruiter and training on my own for the recon marines! and your videos totally help me not get discouraged trying to join

Great video as always brother! All the best!

Thankyou so much for the help. I am much less stressed about basic training now. I really appreciate your videos, sir.

Fire guard is a given even if no one gets in trouble. Literally every single platoon has fireguard

Thanks, Matt bro I love your videos cause u don't sugar-coat the military, and all your videos u keep it real

Wow, basic training is so different from when I went in 1973. No "battle buddies", no crap about sitting on something (I spent a LOT of time in basic taking tests and we sat on chairs - same for the mess hall), no sitting at attention in the mess hall when eating. Seems to be a new army nowadays. The main rules I remember learning in basic: never go outside "uncovered" (must wear a cap or helmet of some sort), no hands in pockets (why provide pockets on pants if you can't use them? lol), no walking (we had to run everywhere). I'm sure there was more, but 1973 was a long time ago.

I missed the friends i made in basic.

Thank you for your service

Battle buddy concept to me took quite a while to get used to. I'm extremely comfortable being by myself and to realize that I'm going to have to be around someone 100% of the time was overwhelming at first I really hated it but after a little while these guys became my best friends through all the punishments and dirt we ate together. It was a beautiful experience. At one point the guys in my platoon felt like my brothers man. Black, white, Hispanic everyone was in there man it was an amazing experience I honestly do recommend it to anyone. You will meet some of your best friends and thanks to social media you will likely be able to stay in contact with them. To those that are about endeer BCT, go in there with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn. Become absorbed in the system and your battle buddies they will help push you through it all. When you feel like you are at your limit you will have no choice but to push through it and it feels so nice to know that everyone around you is going through the exact same so incase you were wondering how you will push through it all that's your answer. Your battle buddies will help keeping pushing through basic training and your trust in them will drastically improve.

Great video man, i just got back from BCT not long ago and now I’m at AIT, this video brought back memories lol glade to see your channel is still going strong! I gotta catch up with everything i missed so far

Mr. Ward, I want to thank you for your video tips. I'm 28 yrs old and I'm looking to join the Army within the year. Thanks again for the great tips! You have my sub.

Your videos are very helpful and I really appreciate what you're doing, they're really informative I was so worried and you put my mind at ease a bit and for that I want to say thank you so much.

It's all u bro, u have brought us all in and keep us coming back. You are going to be a great officer and in what ever else you do in life! Thank you and keep up the great work!

I know this is an old video, but I’m blown away that you had extra energy to do extra pt. I wasn’t out of shape and I got all I could handle daylight to dark

I am an E-2 and just shipped to fort Jackson South Carolina today, I'm watching this on the way there, see your videos in a couple months

Matt, I am from Slovenia and I am watching your videos for almost a year now. I have always found an answers to my questions about the military by watching your videos. You have become one of my favourite RU-vidrs! Greetings from Slovenia, Tom

Nice to see everybody excited/nervous about shipping out. I was in your same position last year. #ArmyReservist #42A

I’m leaving for basic in 6 days and I really appreciate these videos. Thank you. I’ve been excited but yet very nervous. So I really appreciate you taking the time to make these videos.

I've watched so many of your videos. I really love them! But that intro song always catches me off guard haha

That extra time in the afternoon was, wait for it!!!!! studying oh and also preparing your uniform for the next day. Back in my day, you had to spit shine your boots and that time in the afternoon was ideal.

Thank you for your info and your service.

I went to Ft. Benning. We didn't get in trouble for sitting on the bunk to put or boots socks on etc. We had to make sure we didn't mess up the bed though, when we got up though. Most of the time we would just sit on our footlockers, to do those tasks to not mess up the bed. And we sat on bleachers and such. Some of this stuff i've never heard of like the talking to each other. As long as instructions were not being given, at that time. They encouraged us, communication was key if you missed instructions you get it from your battle buddy, if you don't understand what your doing your battle buddy gets you squared away. I guess it really depends on your DS. I loved mine, was a great DS retired right after my class.

Thanks for the insights man! Leaving July 30th

Thank you for your service happy Veterans day Hooah!! 😁🇺🇸

Graduated from Ft jackson last week. Your videos are spot on

Finally done with meps!!! Shipping out July 30 fort Jackson

Also as you continue this analogy the reason why they would tell you to get as much sleep and keep you up until it is time to go to sleep to my understanding is because the enemy is never sleep. The enemy will wait until you go to sleep to sneak up on you and put you permanently to sleep. It is a training exercise to be diligent and watchful even at X it may appear to be calm. As my life experience this is true you could be done with all of your choice I have completed all of your responsibilities and as soon as you begin to untie your boots a fight breaks out and the enemy is trying to kick the door in. The enemy will not wait for you to put your boots back on to take your feet away. It is also a exercise of self-control and discipline. Many people would take this as punishment or being unfair. Ask my life experience growing up as a kid with a stepdad who woke me up violently every morning for 15 years I understand why it is important to stay vigilant even when things appear to be calm for just a moment. Never underestimate what your opponent will do or when they will come. Always be ready to meet them even if you're half sleep. I'd rather be half awake and fight them to get a good night sleep then to be half sleep and never wake up. This is my understanding. As harsh as it is it is important life lesson. Thank you for this video.

love your videos!

+Matt Ward You are correct about what you can't do in Basic. When I was in Ft.Sill we couldn't sit on the bunks,we couldn't talk in the mess hall unless you had KP & depending on who the DS is on duty for it.

Man, we didn't even have battle buddies back in my day. It's been 3+ decades, but memory serves that we needed to go on pass in groups (the one or two times we were given the opportunity) and that was the only requirement. I'm glad I missed that battle buddy stuff -- sounds like it would royally suck!

I did AF BMT and these were pretty much the same rules. Obviously army basic is harder, but it looks like the basic rules are the same.

Hi Matt, the great thing about assigned sleep time is that at any given time during that sleep time you can, and most likely will, be awakened to do an activity for any amount of time that will take away your sleep time. Get used to the possibility of sleep deprivation and extra physical activity at any given time.

you've helped me so much thank u

Accidentally filled my cup to almost full No one: Drill sergeant: You don’t got chocolate Milk where you’re from, spill one drop trainee

These are pretty accurate vids even tho I've been out since the late 80s. For you folks just going in, it will be the best experience you will have short of having a child. That being said, your goal for the next few years is that elusive DD214. Good luck

Love your channel bro. Has gotten me ready for BCT.

Good stuff Matt. Also noted that this is one video that doesn't have a lot of negative comments!

Basic has changed so much. I did my basic at Fort Ord, California before shipping off to Vietnam. 40 guys in one large room, no separate rooms. Bunk beds with thin mattress, no women, and drill sergeants that would beat the crap out of you. Had a fellow who continuously dropped out of running. D.I. Ordered me to fix bayonet and run behind him. If he looked like he was going to quit, I was to jab him in the ass! Seems barbaric now, but we were made of tougher stock back then. Wounded twice, was told to “suck it up, it’s only a flesh wound”. My unit was 7th Cav, 1st Cav Div.

If you need extra PT in basic then; 1) the army got soft 2) you picked a POG ass MOS

Good idea for the video, it's pretty helpful that someone is telling what to expect. I sure wish I knew these things! Also, you're super handsome!

Thanks alot for the vids im planning on joining. Just wanna say thanks

I went to Ft. Benning in early February of 2011 for OSUT. We lived in barricks that looks like a trailer house. We were allowed to run up and down the hill and use the pull up bars right next to our barricks but we had to have 10 others with us and it would have to be between 20:00-21:00 so we may sacrifice our shower and down time if we did work out. Most of us excercised inside the barricks. We were allowed to sleep if we were in the barricks at 20:00 as long as we were done with everything. I think it all depends on the Drill Sergeants ours were somewhat relaxed because most of them were going to different schools like Airborne and Air Assualt at the end of OSUT.

I went through Navy Boot Camp and almost everything was the same for us. The only difference I remember though was there was pretty much zero down time. This was back when the Navy still wore the dungarees (basically the prison or janitor outfit) and you had to iron those and basically the equivalent of class Bs. If you were waiting on an ironing board, you were reading your recruit book that had everything you needed to know to pass the 3 written tests while there (Basically the book that has all the order of a sentry, chain of command, etc.). If you weren't cleaning your barracks, doing laundry or reading, the RDCs (Navy drill sergeant equivalent) were giving a class on something or telling stories about what to expect when you get to the fleet.

I looked above your head and noticed that poster which I have above my tv and im watching the video on my tv so that's pretty dope....

Not sure where or when or which branch you were in but I was army went to basic in 99 we never had a moment where we had absolutely nothing to do cause you always had your smart book

Thanks for the warning.

Haha I'm sitting at the airport getting ready to fly to St. Louis then take a bus to Fort Lost In The Woods haha. Love the videos man! I finish basic in 10 weeks so I'll let you know if your videos helped me, thanks

You’re my hero! Because of you, I hope to achieve so much more than previous in my life. Btw, that shirt is so cool. I’m going to get that shirt so I can be just like you. What kind of jeans do you wear? I bet cool jeans. I imagine us wearing the same jeans and shirt and it not being awkward because we are so cool and the people would think it’s no big deal because they would think I was your twin.

Boy didn’t know you were from Charlotte! That makes me so happy 😂

C-258 INF, Ft. Benning. I graduated April 20th. Your videos really calmed my nerves before I shipped, thank you for that. Lol unfortunately it was a lot worse than I expected. Anyone shipping out, good luck if you are in C-258!

1) nope we couldn't sit on our bunks ever. They were for sleeping, Period. 2) PT was a group thing. During the day we could do push-ups or whatever on our own wherever as long as nothing else was going on that directly effected you. 3) Talking while eating was a good way to get told you were done eating. In fact 1 person who said 1 word got my entire platoon excused from our lunch. lol. 4) Being alone was never an option ever. The only "solitude" I had was while sitting on the toilet. 5) As soon as we could sleep - meaning as soon as the DS's were gone and we had 'quiet time" we slept. We sneaked in naps in the laundry room, anywhere we could lol. no NAPS, but as soon as I could lay in my bed, I was out as fast as I could. I never once got smoked while 11x training. Fort Benning GA. Was the only guy in my platoon who could wear a watch too.

Really nice video! Thank you!

Sounds like benning, thanks again man, graduate ait on June 28 and then on my way South Korea !

I did my BCT in the Mid Seventies at the end of the Vietnam Era. I remember after AIT when I arrived at the 21st Replacement Detachment in Germany, we arrived after Evening Chow so I walked down the Block to KFC to get something to eat. It was so unreal being able to go out with no DI yelling and screaming at me. The morning at Breakfast it was so unreal to walk in to the Mess Hall and not have to stand at attention, then parade rest, and attention before moving one step forward. The first I was told by a fellow Soldier that it was not Basic Training anymore so to knock that shit off. I walked up to the line and was asked if I wanted an omelet which freaked me out because all it ever was, was two eggs and two slices of bacon and to move out. I stood there in awe as mu ham and cheese omelet was being made and I was able to talk in line with no DI yelling at me to drop and to give them 25. At the NCO Academy it was a repeat of Basic Training all over again which was a Big Shock. Here I was a Sergeant but was being treated as a Basic Trainee all over again. It was 30 days of Misery I could not wait to be over. At Army Recruiters Course it was all NCO's and we were treated as such. It was all E-5, E-6, and a few E-7 there to become Army Recruiters. It was no being treated like a Basic Training Trainee all over again. The hard part was being NCO's surrounded by AIT Trainees there for AIT at Ft. Ben Harrison. All of the AIT Trainees would jump out of our way as we approached shouting, "Make Way". It was a weird experience being surrounded by so many AIT Trainees. A Army Buddy reenlisted and changed his MOS from Air Defense Artillery to an MP. He had to go to Fort McClellan for AIT. Because he was a Sergeant E-5 he had his own room on the first floor and was not with the AIT Trainees except when going to class. He marched to class behind the DI and not in formation with the AIT Trainees. he said it was really weird because he was an NCO and could not fraternize with the Privates so he was all alone during AIT. Upon graduation he was reclassified to MOS 95B20. Things were much different back then from how it is today.

Basic training Ft. McClellan Al. July-Sept. 1984 B-1. No talking in the Dining Facility other than to say 'yes' or 'no' to the servers. But no 'sitting at attention'...we slouched over and shoveled it in as fast a as possible...we 'sang' for our supper a few times...no pullups were required but you would often have to do some pushups for something anyway. After meals we couldn't be 'dropped' for something like 30 minutes. and you got to sit down. Our company 'sit spot' was under some pine trees on railroad ties...usually with a light rain falling and 95+ heat.

I was originally going to join the Marine Corps. But now seeing some videos, hearing you talking out things that happen in the Army, but I’ll start research the Army so I can make my decision on which one I’ll join

Your videos have help me a lot

Much shorter video: "What you *are* allowed to do" - "Exactly what you are told, when you are told, the way you are told" :) The exact details are always going to vary, but the point is, especially at the beginning, is that they are trying to test your ability to function and follow orders under stress. In the real world, stress might be "the enemy is shooting at you", but in basic they use slightly less lethal ways of inducing stress. Some of it is simple basic military decorum that will continue to apply after basic, but a lot of the more arbitrary stuff is just there in basic to weed out those that can't handle it. Better to find out in a controlled situation than later on when it might cost someone's life.

Hey you should put your officer frame to your right shoulder man that way we can see it .

Go 49rs Charlotte Native here. Thanks for your service!

This is helpful I'm about to go to basics for the army

I am currently trying to lose over 100 pounds to join the army, while posting progress on my channel. I would love to see a video of maybe stories you have personally seen or heard of people losing a lot of weight to join. Also any advice? Thanks! Great videos btw.

no taking food from the mess, you must sleep on your bed, they tell you to iron the bdu's when that removes the special stuff they put in the fabric so you try to get them dried without wrinkles., we never had any extra time in basic till our one weekend leave and late in we had a couple sundays free till 12. be prepared to scrub the loos with tooth brushes and when cleaning make sure to do the top edges of doors and windows to white glove clean.... they will be suprized spot checked ours was by a general. dont bother bringing a bunch of crap with you just bring what is on the list given to you. less is more till done with training practice everything you can before going.for me ait was like going from kindergarten to jr college. sounds like things are slightly different now. no matter what listen to the drills oh and do not have your mother send you a ginormous cookie in a pizza box with the words perishable written in red. you will be the most popular person on bivouac(where I was) but oh i paid hell for getting it. for the record i did not ask her to send it to me she just did for my 19th birthday.

Nice video and thanks for the info

I know I'm almost a year late but I leave for basic May 26th and I would like to say this is useful information to know. Thank you!!

I leave in 3 weeks for Fort Benning, Georgia. 19D cavalry scout. thank you for the tips and advice I've gotten to learn over the course of time leutenient ward. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Who the hell wants to do extra work out while you're in basic training

Perfect! Knowledge is power!! Going to fort Sill in exactly 1 month! I'll send you my 68w patch once I get one.

I like the 49ers sign. My dad was the Commander of the USAF ROTC program across the hall from the Army ROTC in Kennedy. Great memories from UNCC.

He said “Periodtt” 😂💯

not the same, but im going to canadian basic training in 20 days

Shipping out to Fort Benning on Monday! 11x, can’t wait !

Interesting. In Canada, mess was probably the only place we could have relaxed and discuss things. Soon as you left was game on. But that was early 2000s. We couldn't sit or lay on our beds or cots until lights out. The suck was there.